In this Issue

Sales of OTC female contraceptives ought to be significant in the coming year. Already, the category is up 2.3% to $232.7 million, and that number is expected to go up now that the Food and Drug Administration has approved Teva Women’s Health’s Plan B One-Step (levonorgestrel) without a prescription.

Is natural the new norm in African-American hair care? It just might be.

(For the full category review, including sales data, click here.)

Within the ethnic hair care category, the natural style has taken hold and — judging by the ongoing sales declines in relaxers — it isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Fifteen years worth of ExtraCare learnings also have dramatically influenced the way CVS Caremark markets and merchandises to its best customers. These learnings have informed a critical part of its overall retail strategy, SVP merchandising Judy Sansone told DSN — conversion.

In the late 1980s, “Star Trek: The Next Generation” introduced viewers to the replicator, which could make food, beverages and other items materialize out of thin air.

The idea of Captain Picard instantaneously getting his favorite brew by telling a machine “Tea, Earl Grey, hot” won’t happen any time soon. But with the advent of 3-D printing, it’s a lot closer to reality than one might think.

Heading into 2014, there are a number of growth drivers across the digestives space. There’s the possible switch of Nexium into over-the-counter aisles, brands like Imodium are experiencing a resurgence with their return to the shelves, and Chattem is bringing the venerable Rolaids brand back into the digestives fold.

NEW YORK — When it comes to lip color, bold is in. Looking to further leverage this trend, Maybelline New York earlier this year expanded its Color Sensational Lipcolor line with the new Vivids collection.

With an array of bright pinks, corals and plums, the Color Sensational Vivids collection is positioned as Color Sensational’s brightest, most vibrant color ever.

To keep lips conditioned, the formula is infused with honey nectar and promises to keep lips nourished, never dry or cakey.

The buying demographic for pregnancy test kits and ovulation test kits may be skewing older.

(For the full category review, including sales data, click here.)